Fired Manager Wins Religious Discrimination Lawsuit Against Aviation Company

In a San Antonio, Texas state trial court yesterday, the former manager of a fueling and concierge service for private jets won a religious discrimination lawsuit against Mark Fessler, president of the company, and Fessler's father, a part owner of the business.  According to the San Antonio Express News, Steven Hecht was awarded back pay, damages for mental anguish and exemplary damages of $150,000 after the jury found that he was fired at least in part because he stopped attending the same church as the Fesslers.  Hecht testified to a number of incidents in which the Fessler's religious beliefs were infused into the business of Million Air San Antonio, while the Fesslers claimed that Hecht was trying to find another job before he was fired and that Hecht's attorney was using religious discrimination to inflame the jury .